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9M mast lowering pole

Does anyone either have a 9M mast lowering pole they don't want or one that we can look at with a veiw to having one made. We are currently in the Chichester/Emsworth area so someone nearby wouuld be great. An alternative would be full dimensional information. Any help would be appreciated.

Re: 9M mast lowering pole

I haven't seen one for a while, but it is basically a scaffold pole with a welded in probe and two eyes at the other end.

It is important that you have the wooden crutch rigged at the stern for the mast to lie in, as otherwise it puts too much load on the roof of the canopy.

It is also important that the shrouds be slacked to the very limit of their adjustment.

I used to bring the tail of the tackle attached to the bottom of the pole, back to one of the genoa winches (which had been upgraded to Lewmar 30ST), This allowed much better control and made hoisting much easier as well. Frequently raised and lowered mast by myself.

I also drilled a hole in the tabernackle at the back of the pole slot so once the mast had been raised (and held in position by a big G cramp) Icould then bolt through the slot and hold the mast rigidly to the tabernacle.

Insanity is continuing to do the same thing and expecting different results

Re: 9M mast lowering pole

Hello, New owner of a Catalac 8M, I'm in search of the measurements for the mast lowering system on my 8M, I have the pole measurements but would like to know how long to make the support lines that keep the mast from twisting?
Thanks in advance, Woody

Re: 9M mast lowering pole

Originally Posted by Boatnutwoody

Hello, New owner of a Catalac 8M, I'm in search of the measurements for the mast lowering system on my 8M, I have the pole measurements but would like to know how long to make the support lines that keep the mast from twisting?
Thanks in advance, Woody

First - two assumptions.
1. Your mast is fitted to a tabernacle and has a pivot pin a little less than 1 metre from the bottom of the mast.
2. Your shrouds terminate at the bottom in a stainless fitting that is approximately level with the mast pivot point. This metal fitting is bolted through the deck and reinforced inside the cabin.

At the top of the metal fitting there is the connection point for the main shrouds, and just in front of them is a another point which is designed for the wire strop which secures the mast lowering pole from moving sideways. The best way to measure the strops is to place the lowering pole into the mast and then measure the distance between the forward end of the lowering pole (at the two lugs attached to that end) and the connection point on the metal fitting at the bottom the main shrouds.

Note if you do not have a tabernacle and do not have this metal fitting below the mainshrouds then the mast lowering pole is not going to be muchuse to you.

Insanity is continuing to do the same thing and expecting different results

Re: 9M mast lowering pole

Thanks for the info. I do have the tabernacle mast but have no manual on the boat and no mast pole, my friend the welder is going to make me a mast pole. another question? where on the boat do you store a mast pole? The Jib on the boat got torn off in a hurricane before I got the boat, do you know the dimension of it so I can look for a new or use one?
Thank you, Woody

Re: 9M mast lowering pole

Originally Posted by Boatnutwoody

Thanks for the info. I do have the tabernacle mast but have no manual on the boat and no mast pole, my friend the welder is going to make me a mast pole. another question? where on the boat do you store a mast pole? The Jib on the boat got torn off in a hurricane before I got the boat, do you know the dimension of it so I can look for a new or use one?

Quick note to add to the previous data. When you measure for those side strops, leave some slack to allow it to move a bit, as some movement wont matter, but over tight risks damage.

Most people retained the mast pole at home as it is not used much except at end or beginning of the season.

These boats were also originally outfitted with a heavy wooden 2-legged crutch which fitted at the back of the boat and was designed to support the mast when lowered. Curiously this did have a stowage across the stern of the boat outside the cockpit, and beside the two hatches that provided access to the top of the rudders.

As for the jib - the boats were originally supplied with a jib and a genoa. The jib used the genoa car track on the coachroof, whereas the genoa was sheeted via blocks attached to the deck at the back of the boat near the backstay fittings. The jib did allow a bit better work to windward (not a catalac's best point of sail) but by the time most catalacs had reefing foresail systems, the use of the jib had basically ceased with most boats. I modified my boat with additional tracks and a modified sail to achieve the biggest sail possible with the modified tracks. It was a good compromise.

As for sail sizes, most competent sail lofts will have the catalac dimensions recorded, but the better sailmakers will re-measure anyway. It is very unlikely that you will find a sail from another boat that will work, as the dimensions are very different to most.

Insanity is continuing to do the same thing and expecting different results

Re: 9M mast lowering pole

Originally Posted by Boatnutwoody

Thanks for the info. I do have the tabernacle mast but have no manual on the boat and no mast pole, my friend the welder is going to make me a mast pole. another question? where on the boat do you store a mast pole? The Jib on the boat got torn off in a hurricane before I got the boat, do you know the dimension of it so I can look for a new or use one?
Thank you, Woody

Was wondering about the Tip that goes into the mast? does anyone have a drawing of that?

Re: 9M mast lowering pole

Originally Posted by Boatnutwoody

Was wondering about the Tip that goes into the mast? does anyone have a drawing of that?

No drawing, but it has to fit in the hole without much slop (thus establishing the diameter), and is as long as the mast is wide front to back (but no longer) Most had a rounded end (but not a sharp point), and were made of stainless.

Insanity is continuing to do the same thing and expecting different results

Re: 9M mast lowering pole

Originally Posted by Talbot

No drawing, but it has to fit in the hole without much slop (thus establishing the diameter), and is as long as the mast is wide front to back (but no longer) Most had a rounded end (but not a sharp point), and were made of stainless.